...And if you really believe that, you're a moron.
This is partly an homage to the Facebook group of the same name, and partly to point out a completely idiotic and appalling fact: nearly 70% of Nebraskans voted in 2000 to ban same-sex marriage, and this ban was reinstated on July 14th, 2006.
Are you kidding me?
Here is the full article at Cnn.com. Nebraska's Attorney General Jon Bruning has been arguing to get this ban reinstated for a while now, because he feels it does not, "violate anyone's freedom of expression or association." He also goes on to say that anyone who might oppose this ban's reinstatement "are free to gather, express themselves, lobby, and generally participate in the political process however they see fit."
What?
I'm not racist in any way, shape, or form, but using Mr. Bruning's logic, please consider the following scenario: At work, starting tomorrow, I am no longer going to allow anyone of any race but Caucasian to come through my line to check-out. People are welcome to petition this and protest this, but because I am not violating anyone's freedom of expression or association, then really I am not hurting anyone by putting up a "White's Only" sign by my register.
Seriously. And Bruning is the Attorney General. Everyone is really going to love Nebraska now.
Here's a quick opinion from JohnRoss, who is sitting here with me as I type this entry: "There are so many parallels between the Civil Rights Movement and the Gay Rights Movement. We've been through this once already, why are we going through this again?"
He's completely right. We should be advanced enough as a society at this point that this should not even be an issue. Everyone should have equal rights under the law, because, as you might recall from any of the last few job applications you've filled out, "We do not discriminate based on race, gender, ethnicity, religious affiliation, or sexual orientation." Places of business can not discriminate in the hiring process, because any forms of said discrimination are ILLEGAL. Do you hear me, Dub-ya? THIS IS NOT LEGAL. You might even say it is ILlegal. Either way, it is wrong, and you are denying a basic civil liberty to a very large population of our country.
People continue to argue that by allowing same-sex couples to legally marry, this will undermine the already existing institution of marriage between a man and a woman. I'm sorry, but I am pretty sure what is undermining the union of a man and a woman is the ridiculously high DIVORCE RATE.
Are you honestly telling me that two people, ANY two people, who love one another and are committed to one another should not be allowed the same rights as others, simply because the person they love is of the same sex? This is undermining nothing, and this is not a remote threat to the definition of marriage at all. I've heard several arguments using the 'marriage is defined as the union of a man and a woman' line. That's true, sort of. The definition just given is defining the RELIGIOUS word 'marriage'. The legal definition of marriage is: a union between two persons. It doesn't define the sex of said persons. Does anyone remember that little thing called 'separation of Church and State'? Just wondering.
Church law as we know it is not going to change on this issue in our life time and that is just the truth, like it or not. In fact, it may not ever change and while sad, it would be difficult to change thousands of years of beliefs. But the point that the ultra-conservatives (in favor of squelching basic human rights) want you to believe is that same-sex couples want to change religion as we know it. Not true. I don't know a single gay couple who would want to be married in a church. This is not because they themselves are not religious, (in fact, many of the gay and lesbian couples I know are a lot more religious than I), but simply for the fact they know at this time it would not be accepted.
Bottom line, this is an issue of discrimination, in the very simplest terms. People are being denied a basic human right based on their sexual orientation. Last time I checked, that was against the law in this country.
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One of my favorite quotes is, "The last time we mixed politics with religion, people got burned at the stake." I believe this whole-heartedly.
I could write a book called:
100 things that are more a threat to your marriage than gays getting married
but that wouldn't matter because I honestly believe that people who vote against gay marriage are, for the most part, bigots... haters if you will. They feel morally superior due to their religious beliefs and feel the need to "punish" those who they think are morally inferior.
Now, I'm not saying people don't have a right to their opinions. If you think being gay is wrong you are entitled to that thought. But don't vote to discriminate against them? I'd like to vote all the racists out of the country, but they have a right to be here. I mean seriously, it's legal to have a KKK rally down main street but gay people getting married... that's the worst thing ever? Really? Considering war, poverty, disease, child exploitation... I think those are all things we could work a lot harder at stopping... that's just me.
"It makes life so much more simpler to let God be God, and to try to follow his commandment to love one another."
PS for John Ross:
Just keep singing "We shall overcome" and believe it!
JohnRoss is very happy you agree with him. He just told me so, and will probably comment later to tell you so himself.
I think you should get to work on this book immediately, I will totally help you with it and we will have a best-seller immediately.
JohnRoss is giving his full support to this project as well. Let's get to it.
My, how college has changed my view of the world. I guarantee that I would have been one of those voting for the ban (if I had been old enough to vote). That should show you exactly why nearly 70% of my dear state did vote in favor of it. Most of the Nebraskans I know come from small towns where homosexuality is something that one rarely (if ever) encounters. It's in our nature to be cautious, skeptical and even afraid of things we are unfamiliar with. This leads me to believe that a lot of people acted out of unfamiliarity, influenced by the fervor of the Catholic and Missouri Synod Lutheran Churches. At least I would like to think that. But I am an idealist. Take it for what you will.
People also seem to get hung up on the division of church and state on this issue. While our country was founded on principles of religious freedom and tolerance, we are not a church state. Just because Mr. Bush is a Methodist does not mean that national policy should parallel Methodist theology. There is a BIG difference between a civil marriage and a religious marriage. If you don't agree with that statement, you're a moron.
Nine hours later... We Shall Overcome is still stuck in my head. Oh well. I do whole-heartedly support the book effort. I am gravely concerned about the divorce rate in this country, and I will guarantee that it is not the gay community that is undermining "traditional" marriage. Seriously, if you could put down in plain english what's really wrong with marriages today, I think you'd easily shoot to be a best-seller and probably be a candidate for a Nobel.
I like what many countries in Europe do. They have legal civil unions instead of marriage. Anyone can have a civil union that way, and the church can still have the monopoly on the word marriage.
That would make sense to me. However, as long as Dub-ya is in office, I sadly do not see that happening.
And Tobes, we've got to get started on this book...I think JohnRoss is right, let's get to it, ha ha.
I'll put pen to paper asap :) I heart you guys
I will provide random comic relief. Like, with comments such as, "But didn't gay marriage kill the dinosaurs?" and then everyone will laugh and think, wait, maybe she's serious...
But I'm not.
We heart you too.
I'm so glad that David and myself have been able to bring you all together! :)
Don't have a lot to add on this subject except to say that I am totally behind you guys. People should be able to marry anyone they want and have it recognized by the government. You can't legislate morality by telling gays they can't marry each other.
I just wish it were that simple.
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